We have just entered the new Hijri year of the 1436. May Allah give khayr to all Ummah in this new year.
I take the chance and would like to find the answers to the following questions;
• What is the Hijri Calendar? When did it start?
• Is there any special ibadah in Muharram, which is the first month of the Hijri Year?
• What is the ashura day? Is there any special type of ibadah on that day?
The first year was the Islamic year beginning in AD 622 during which the emigration (Hijra) of the prophet Muhammad (P.B.H) from Mecca to Medina.
The Islamic calendar was first introduced by the (sahabah) close companion of the Prophet, Umar ibn Al-Khattab in AD632. During his leadership (caliphate) of the Muslims state, he consulted with his advisors in order to come to a decision regarding the various dating systems used at that time. It was agreed that the most appropriate reference point for the Islamic calendar was the Hijrah, since it was an important turning point for the Muslims.
The Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them) reached a unanimous decision during ‘Umar’s caliphate, to make the Islamic calendar begin with the year in which the Hijrah occurred. That was because a case was referred to Ameer al-Mu’mineen ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) concerning a contract that one man had with another, saying that what he owed him became due in Sha‘baan (8th month of the calendar).
‘Umar said; Which Sha‘baan? The Sha‘baan of this year we are in now or of last year or of next year? Then he summoned the Sahaabah and consulted them about adopting a calendar from which they could determine when debts became due and the like.
‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was inclined to choose the date of the Hijrah because it is known when it occurred, and they agreed with him.
Hijri Calender is 12 months. Four of the twelve Hijri months are sacred. These are Muharram, Rajab, Dhul al Qa’da, Dhu al-Hijja. It is forbidden to battle in these months.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
“The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Riyazü’s-Sâlihin, II, 504). The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said: “This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year.” (Riyâzü’s-Salihin, II, 509).
It was narrated that there are various events that happened on the tenth day of Muharram (Ashura). Some of them are as the following:
• Allah (swt) accepted Prophet Adam’s repentance on Ashura.
• Prophet Noah’s arc landed on Mount Judi on the Day of Ashura.
• The prophet Abraham was rescued from fire,
• Prophet Yaqup (Jacop)’s eyesight, which he had lost years ago was restored.
• Allah gave victory to Prophet Musa and split the sea for him and for the children of Israel and defeated Pharaoh (Fir’awn)
• Allah forgave Prophet Dawud and granted Prophet Sulayman great dominion
• And on that day Allah brought Prophet Yunus safely out of the whale
• On tenth of Muharram Allah cured Prophet Ayoub.
• Hijrat of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) from Mecca to Madinatul Munawwarah
• Qibla, the direction to be adopted within salaah, was decided in Jerusalem in 16th Muharram.
In this present day of food terror and anarchism where Halal and Haram are mixed, as per the suggestion by GIMDES, WHC adopted to commemorate 17 Ramadan as World Halal Day and this resolution was declared to the whole world. Muslims have been celebrating world halal day in the last two years.
